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Courtesy, William B. Guitteau. 

COMMODORE OLIVER HAZARD PERRY LEAVING HIS DISABLED FLAGSHIP, THE 
LAWRENCE. FOR THE BRIG NIAGARA, SEPTEMBER lOTH, 1813 

General Harrison Told Peter Navarre: "This daring move cf Commodore Perry, amid the rain 

of shot from the enemy's vessels, so inspired the soldiers and the sailors, that the 

act alone won the victory of the Battle of Lake Erie." 



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1 77?e Early History 



of the 

MA UMEE 
VALLEY 




4^ 



REVISED SECOND EDITION 
(ILLUSTRATED) 



BY 



JOHN E. GUNCKEL 






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COPYRIGHTED 1913 
BY 

JOHN E. GUNCKEL 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 



Press of 

HENRY M. SCHMIT 

TOLEDO. OHIO 

19 13 



©CI.A.')512 20 



To 


Officers 


DEDICATED 


Valley 


and Members of The Maumee 




Pioneer 


and Historical Associations in honor 


of 




their unselfish and devoted work to re- 








claim and preserve the histor- 








ical grounds of this 








famous 








Valle); 





Index 



TO ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE 

Commodore Perry Leaving the Lawrence Frontispiece 

Turtle Island — Maumee Bay 7 

Indian Camping Ground — Bay View Park 9 

Fort Miami 11 

Indian Chief— Ottokee 15 

Fort Defiance 18 

General Anthony Wayne 19 

Fort Deposit 22 

Roche-De-Boeuf 23 

Toledo in 1794 24 

Toledo in 1913 25 

The Maumee Rapids 26 

Head of the Maumee Rapids 27 

Turkey Foot Rock 29 

The Return of Turkey Foot Rock 30 

The Tomb of General Anthony Wayne 31 

General Harrison 33 

Monument — River Raisin, Monroe 36 

Monument — Battle River Raisin 38 

Governor Return Jonathan Meigs 39 

General Clay's Battle Ground 41 

Fort Meigs in 1 902 42 

Rear View of Fort Meigs 44 

Natural Ravine, Fort Meigs 46 

Harrison Point 49 

Northerly Section — Fort Meigs 50 

Burial Ground, Col. Dudley and His Men 51 

The Harrison Well— Fort Meigs 53 

British Batteries 54 

The Elm Tree '. 55-56 

Old Betsy Croghan 58 

Peter Navarre 61 

Indian Chief, Tecumseh 65 

Indian Village 69 

Monument — Fort Meigs 71 

Monument — Fort Meigs (Winter Scene) 72 

Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry 73 

Put-in Bay 75 

Gibraltar 83 

Commodore Perry's Flag — "Don't Give Up the Ship" 79 

The Hull of the Niagara 77-78 

Perry's Willow — Put-in Bay 81 

Map — Islands of Lake Erie 85 

Log Cabin — Maumee Valley 86 

The Old Court House — Maumee 87 

The Maumee River and Islands 88 

The Maumee River and Valley 89-90 

The Perry Memorial — Put-in Bay 84 

The Tomb of General Harrison 91 

Traveling in 1813 — Maumee Valley 95 

Traveling in 1913 — Maumee Valley 96 



PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION 



/TTH E First Edition of The Early History of The Maumee Valley 

^^ contained a brief history of the struggles and conflicts for the 

possession of The Northwest Territory: and an appeal to the public to 

recognize the importance of erecting monuments to the memory of the 

brave soldiers who died and were buried within the achieved territory. 

At the time of the publication of the book, in 1 902, there were no 
m onumenls to mark the resting places of these pioneers of our country 
who are sleeping away the centuries in unmarked graves. 

Since that time, however, Ohio and Michigan came nobly to the 
front and have erected monuments that are an honor to the states, and 
have made preparations for the permanent preservation of Fort Meigs 
and other historical property. 

Naturally the history fell into many hands, relatives of those who 
were participants in the battles, sieges, marches, etc., and have sent val- 
uable historical information, gleaned from hidden records, much of 
which has never been in print; and since the first edition has been ex- 
hausted, and the country is about to celebrate the one hundreth annivers- 
ary of the Battle of Lake Erie, the writer has been requested to publish 
a second edition, giving the new historical facts, incidents, pictures, with a 
few corrections, and other noted events. 




TURTLE ISLAND AND LIGHT HOUSE— Lake Erie 
Built on a natural island, 1831. Rebuilt, 1867. Abandoned as a Light House May 15, 1904. 

Sold December, 1904. 



THE MAUMEE VALLEY. 

The territory embraced in the Maumee Valley covers an area 
of about 6,500 square miles, of which 4,450 are in Ohio; 1,375 in 
Indiana, and 375 in Michigan. The Tiffin and Auglaize rivers flow 
into the Maumee river at Defiance. The Auglaize river has two 
tributaries — the Blanchard and Ottawa rivers. The Maumee river 
is about 150 miles in length, with an average fall of one foot per 
mile. 

Lucas County, having the largest population, was named after 
Governor Robert Lucas, by an act of the General Assembly of Ohio, 
June 20th, 1833. There is no section of the country where so many 
hard fought battles were lost and won as in this Valley. The 
military history begins back in the seventeenth century. Most of 
the fighting with the Indians, during the Revolution, centered in 
this Valley. The war with the Indians in 1794-5 ended most victor- 
iously, and forever taught them the life lesson, as declared by the 
Prophet of the Shawnees, after the Battle of Fallen Timbers : "When 
you see more than ten white men, run." This battle changed the 
fighting tactics of the Indians. As the great Chief Tecumseh said 
to General Proctor, of the British army: "Americans come like a 
whirlwind, stay like a rock, fight running, walking or sleeping." 
In this Valley, as well as in other lands, the Indians always selected 
the most beautiful country, inhabited by the most game, whose 
waters were filled with the choicest of fish, for their camping 
grounds. From Turtle Island, around whose base the clear waters 
of Lake Erie play at will, to the junction of the Maumee and 
Auglaize rivers, there is scarcely a tract of land bordering these 
rivers but what has been the camping, hunting and fishing grounds 
of Indians. 

Turtle Island Light was built in 1831, on a natural island. It 
was rebuilt in 1867, and abandoned as a light on May 15, 1904, and 
sold in December, 1904. It was named after the Indian chief. Little 
Turtle, who lived on Presque Isle. This chief was one of the signers 
of the Fort Greenville treaty, and with the chief, Ottokee, was 
always a friend of the whites. Of him General Clay wrote : "Little 
Turtle was a brave and dignified warrior, with a touch of human 
sympathy for wounded soldiers. He proved himself to be true to 
his promises, and was granted special favors and privileges from 
the government. He was given a white man's burial at Fort Wayne 
in 1812." 

All the land at the mouth of the Maumee river belonged to the 
Indian chief, Ottokee, who became a noted character in the Valley. 




INDIAN CAMPING GROUND 
Now Bay View Park. Overlooking Maumee Bay. 



The late Judge Francis L. Nichols, who came to the Valley when 
the Indians were in power and owned the land, told the writer that 
"Ottokee was a great chief, loved by his people, and proved himself 
to be a most honorable Indian. He had two wives who always accom- 
panied him when he visited the white people. I exchanged visits 
many times, eating at the same table. He represented the tribes 
who claimed ownership of the land and was one of the signers of 
the deed selling eight hundred (800) acres to a Buffalo syndicate, 
in 1826, for fifteen dollars an acre. This land was known as the 
Manhattan District." 




10 




FOKT MIAMI 
Facing the Maumee River. Indian Trading Post in 1680. Fort held by the British in 1794-1813. 



11 



Fort Miami, 

The First Fort on the Maumee. Expeditions 

of General Harrison, General St. Clair, 

General Wayne and The Battle 

of Fallen Timbers 



12 



FORT MIAMI— GENERAL HARRISON, GENERAL ST. CLAIR. 

The waters of Lake Erie, at the mouth of the Maumee river, 
had never been navigated until La Salle, in 1672, and Louis De Fron- 
tenac, the French Governor of Canada, in 1677, sailed from a port in 
Canada to explore the new territory, rich in fur animals, and occu- 
pied by Indians. Frontenac had the spirit of an explorer, and was 
successful in trading with Indians in his dominion, but the Indians 
of the Maumee Valley were so often deceived and their number 
decreased to remnants of tribes, Frontenac's experiences with them 
did not prove successful. "Three years were spent in exploring 
this region, and in endeavoring to secure the alliance of the savages, 
and the gains of the fur trade. The sufferings of his men were 
exceedingly severe. It was not until the Christian influence of 
Father Pere Marquette had extended in the territory south of 
Detroit, did Frontenac again venture at the mouth of the Maumee 
river." 

It is said: "Frontenac was the first white man to explore the 
Maumee river, known then as THE MIAMI OF THE LAKE." 

"He found Indian trails coming from the west and north, lead- 
ing to and from the Indian villages of the interior, all centering at 
a point on the river bend, a high bluff, extending near the brink. 
This was the meeting place of the Indians of various tribes — for 
visiting and trading." 

In the spring of 1680 Frontenac established a trading post at 
this point and called it THE MIAMI TRADING POST. 

For many years it was the most noted trading post on the 
lake, and was occupied by Frontenac until his death, at Quebec, 
November 28, 1689. 

For territorial and political gains a war broke out between 
England and France, which was known as "The Seven Years' War," 
and ended in favor of England. A treaty was signed at Paris, 
February 10th, 1763, ceding Canada and "all claims to the disputed 
territory east of the Mississippi river." 

A few years after the English had taken possession of Canada, 
they stationed a company of soldiers at the trading Post Miami, 
and in 1764 built several block houses and an irregular parapet and 
called it FORT MIAMI. The Maumee river became one of the 
water routes much used by explorers and missionaries. 

The chiefs representing the various tribes of Indians along the 
lake shore and the Maumee Valley, notwithstanding war had ceased 
and a treaty established sovereignty, the Indians were dissatisfied, 

13 



and it was not until in the year 1783 did the Enghsh "have that 
friendly intercourse that so characterized the Frenchman, Fron- 
tenac, with the Indians," and trading resumed. 

As time passed and peace along the borders seemed to reign, 
and the Indians were not disturbed in what they claimed their 
rights by possession, "of all the land below the rapids — the hunting 
and fishing grounds of the Miami," and owing to the extremely 
friendly disposition of the Indian chiefs, invited other tribes, of 
the east, to visit and hunt. These semi-annual expeditions resulted 
in the inter-marrying of the young men and women, particularly 
of the Miami, Ottawa, Wyandotte and Pottawatomie tribes, and a 
friendship was formed that continued until the land was occupied 
wholly by the whites, and the Indians removed to Government 
Keservations to the far west. 

The slow advancement of the white man from the Atlantic 
coast, gradually occupying the hunting and fishing grounds, work- 
ing through the dense forests and following the rivers, aroused a 
feeling of jealousy and a desire to drive the invaders from their 
territory. At times, however, friendly intercourses between the 
whites and Indians existed, and to such an extent that muskets, 
powder, bullets, clothing and other articles were exchanged for 
furs. It was not long until the old weapons, such as bows, arrows, 
clubs and war axes were replaced by more modern implements. 
Bad whiskey was introduced, and was the cause of many disturb- 
ances among the savages; in fact, it was one of the greatest evils 
which opened the gap of bitter hatred between the whites and the 
Indians. 

The late D. W. H. Howard told the writer: "A study of pioneer 
days does not always redound to the credit of civilization. As 
long as the Indian could live in a land which was certainly his own, 
and care for his family by hunting and fishing, as he had been 
taught by God, he was not disposed to attack the advancing settle- 
ments of the white men, but driven to desperation by those who 
sought to take from him his home and hunting grounds, naturally 
he resented, and with all the zeal and energy of his savage nature." 

Whiskey, unfair dealing and the rapidly increasing white pop- 
ulation all along the frontier, together with the secret hand of 
Great Britain, from Canadian ports, instigating the chiefs, resulted 
in starting the Indians in their bloody warfare against the frontiers- 
men, which soon was followed by war. Some of the more savage 
tribes who were reduced to so few in number that they formed 
themselves into "marauding bands," roving over the country, annoy- 
ing the settlements, and committing crimes that were terrible in 
their results. 

14 




OTTOKEE 
The chief who opposed war, was friendly to the whites, and the last to leave the valley. He was 
the original owner of the land at the mouth of the river, known 
as the Manhattan District. 



France laid claims: ''To the land west of the Great Lakes and 
east of the Mississippi river, and when satisfied it legally and right- 
fully belonged to the United States an agreement was signed, 
known as 'The Treaty of Paris,' on February 6th, 1778, not only 
ceding all lands to the United States, but recognizing the independ- 
ence of the United States." 

On July 15th, 1788, General Arthur St. Clair was inaugurated 
as Governor of the "Territorial District of Ohio." 

The English became more anxious to occupy the land along 
the Maumee river, and renewed their friendly intercourse with the 
Indian chiefs, particularly Tecumseh, Little Turtle, Turkey Foot 
and Blue Jacket. They were frequently reminded of the advancing 
of the Americans from the east who would drive them from their 
hunting and fishing grounds. A secret alliance was formed be- 
tween the English and the chiefs, with the purpose of driving back 
the advancing Americans, along the frontier. 

The depredations and horrible murders committed by the In- 
dians so aroused the Americans to the necessity of protecting the 
lives of the frontiersmen. For this protection a small body of 
regulars, men who served in 1776, were enlisted and were under 
command of Brigadier General Harmer, with orders to march 
against the Indians and "Inflict such punishment as would prevent 
future depredations." 

On September 30th, 1790, General Harmer, with 450 regulars, 
started for the Ohio river to execute the plans of President Wash- 
ington. He was reinforced by 1,000 militiamen from Ohio and 
Kentucky. The Indians, more familiar with the country, concen- 
trated all their forces near what is today Fort Wayne, while a few 
scouting parties were sent to meet the Americans and "to coax 
them into a trap." General Harmer met with but little resistance 
in his diflflcult march through the dense forest, until he arrived at 
Fort Wayne, where, on October 22nd, 1790, he was surprised by an 
overwhelming number and met a most disastrous defeat. The 
Indians in this engagement were led by Little Turtle and Blue 
Jacket, with about three thousand warriors. 

President Washington expressed himself as being greatly dis- 
tressed at General Harmer's misfortune. However, immediate 
preparations were made to send another army to the frontier. Gen- 
eral Arthur St. Clair was chosen commander of two thousand reg- 
ulars and one thousand militia. He was instructed: "To forever 
suppress Indian invasion." He built Fort Washington (now Cin- 
cinnati) in September, 1791, and on October 12th had completed 
Fort Hamilton, on the Great Miami. This was the first of the line 
of forts extended to Lake Erie. 

16 



On November 4th the army reached the Wabash river where 
it met the combined Indian forces under command of the chiefs, 
Tecumseh, Little Turtle, Turkey Foot and Blue Jacket, who closely 
watched every movement made by General St. Clair, concentrating 
their forces at a point where they had every advantage of defense. 
Gneral St. Clair was not prepared to meet any great force of the 
enemy, and, forgetting the last words of General Harmer, "Beware 
of a surprise," he continued to advance. 

General St. Clair was so completely taken by surprise by an 
overwhelming force of savages that his men became bewildered and 
lost control of their senses. He met a most unfortunate defeat. 
Every officer and more than two-thirds of the men engaged were 
killed and wounded. The official report showing 550 killed and 200 
wounded and the remainder scattered in the forest. 

This was the second defeat of the Americans in one year. The 
frontier settlements were now in greater danger than ever. The 
Indians became bolder and more venturesome. 

After the elapse of about a year, by popular consent. General 
Anthony Wayne, of Pennsylvania, the daring hero of the Revolu- 
tion, was selected by President Washington "To protect the frontier 
and put down these Indian attacks." 

General Wayne, with a thoroughly disciplined army of 1,900 
regulars and 1,500 mounted volunteers, from Kentucky, slowly 
drifted down the Ohio river from Pittsburg, "using hugely built 
rafts," and arrived at Fort Washington in June, 1792. 

In the march through the forest, northward, they met but 
little resistance. He arrived at the junction of the Maumee and 
Auglaize rivers, and built a fort, naming it Fort Defiance, on April 
10th, 1794. 

"Slow was our march, but we made no mistakes. The Indians 
were constantly on the alert, and at no time did General Wayne 
have his men in a position to be surprised. We were on duty both 
day and night, with forerunners out in every direction." 

General Wayne arrived at the Great Rapids (now Grand 
Rapids) on August 10th, and soon after arrival he received word 
from the Indian chiefs that they wanted to talk. 

On August 18, 1794, under an elm tree. General Wayne met the 
chiefs. Little Turtle, Turkey Foot, Blue Jacket and Black Hoof, 
representing seven tribes, but no agreement could be reached. In 
a letter written by one of the soldiers we quote: "We could not 
tell how far we dare follow the Indians, because we knew behind 
them were the British at Fort Miami, and with a force that could 
worry us." 

17 




FORT DEFIANCE. 
Block Houses as they were in the early days. 



IS 




GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE 

The hero of The Battle of Fallen Timbers. Born in Chester County, Penna., January 1, 1745. 

Died at Presque Isle, (Erie,) Penna., December 15, 1796. 



19 



\y' 



The Battle of Fallen Timbers. 

On August 19 General Wayne left Great Rapids, following the 
river until he arrived at a point a short distance above the present 
village of Waterville, and established a camp which he called Fort 
Deposit, where he left all of his superfluous baggage, ammunition 
and provisions. 

At sunrise on August 20 he called his officers together, among 
them Lieutenant William H. Harrison, and on a rock known as 
Roche de Boeuf (meaning "Standing Rock") a plan of march and 
battle was discussed and adopted. "We knew the Indians were in 
considerable force in the rear of a hill known as Presque Isle, 
where a recent storm had felled the timber." 

Immediately after the council of war the army advanced 
towards the hill. A recent hurricane made havoc with the large 
trees and formed an almost impassable barrier against an army of 
cavalry. The Indian chiefs declared "No army the Americans could 
bring could fight them." It was a natural fortification for Indians. 
The cavalry followed the rocky shores of the river, while the infan- 
try marched, to the left, in the rear. 

Without warning, not even the exchange of picket firing was 
heard, General Wayne came down upon them like a second hurri- 
cane. So terribly surprised were the Indians that they paid no 
attention to the commands of their chiefs, notwithstanding Chief 
Turkey Foot stood upon a huge rock waving his tomahawk, and 
trying to encourage his warriors, a mark for an American, who saw 
the chief fall upon the rock. The battle was mostly a hand-to-hand 
conflict until the Indians gave way and were driven in great con- 
fusion for two miles down the river. No Indian can stand in front 
of a bayonet. The battle was short, but fierce. So fierce that it 
forever frightened the Indians from undertaking to fight the Ameri- 
cans alone, without the support of the British. A Canadian, taken 
prisoner in the action, estimated the force of the Indians at 1,400. 
Among them were about 70 Canadians, and that Colonel McKee, 
Captain Elliott and Simon Girty were on the field. The Indians lost 
nine chiefs. Americans lost 33 killed and 100 wounded. 

Turkey Foot Rock, now a noted and familiar landmark, is about 
six feet long, three feet wide, about four feet high and weighing, 
perhaps, three tons. The chief, Turkey Foot, was buried imme- 
diately after the battle by American soldiers and near the rock. 
Upon its surface are distinct tracks of turkey feet, rudely carved 
by Indians with their tomahawks. The late D. W. H. Howard 
wrote : "For many years after in single file the Indians passed the 
rock without halting or uttering a word. Each in silence and sor- 



row placing his tribute of respect upon the rock — a piece of tobacco. 
This was done until the last wigwam was torn down, and I took the 
Indians west." 

Recently, within a few years, additional fame has been added 
to the rock. Some person or persons, at the dead hour of night, 
confiscated the rock, and so completely placed it out of sight that 
the inhabitants of two villages, Maumee and Perrysburg, in their 
searching for weeks failed to discover it. When those interested 
were satisfied the people appreciated and revered the monument of 
the Battle of Fallen Timbers, the rock appeared in the village as 
suddenly as it had disappeared. Which gave the citizens of the 
county an opportunity to celebrate its recovery. The Battle of 
Fallen Timbers settled all savage warfare in the northwest. The 
Indians gave General Wayne the name of "Che-no-tin," or the 
Whirlwind. Several months after the battle a number of Potta- 
watomie Indians arrived at Fort Wayne, and when asked about the 
engagement, replied, "At the battle the Wind was like a hurricane 
which drives and tears everything before it." 

After resting his army. General Wayne marched down the 
river, passed Fort Miami, which was occupied by the British, but 
silent, and camped at the mouth of Swan creek, and "for immediate 
protection he built a stockade and so expeditiously was it built he 
named it Fort Industry," now Toledo, Ohio. The dimensions of the 
fort were about 200 by 250 feet. 

On August 23, 1794, General Wayne left Fort Industry for his 
return to Fort Defiance. 

Fort Industry is on the easterly corner of Summit and Monroe 
streets. The site is now occupied by a large building and known as 
Fort Industry Block. 

Shortly after General Wayne passed in sight of Fort Miami he 
received the following from Major Campbell of the British army, 
stationed at this fort: 

"An army of the United States of America, said to be under 
your command, having taken post on the banks of the Miami (Mau- 
mee) for upwards of twenty-four hours, almost within reach of the 
guns of this fort, being a post belonging to His Majesty, the King 
of Great Britain, occupied by His Majesty's troops, it becomes my 
duty to inform myself as speedily as possible in what light I am to 
view your making such near approaches to this garrison? I have 
no hesitation on my part to say that I know of no war existing be- 
tween Great Britain and America." 



21 




FORT DEPOSIT 
Where General Wayne deposited his surplus baggage before the battle of Fallen Timbers. 




ROCHE-DE-BOEUF— (Standing Rock) 

Where General Wayne and Lieutenant Harrison held the council before 

the battle of Fallen Timbers. 



23 




TOLEDO IN 1794 
Now the easterly corner of Summit and Monroe streets. 



24 




TOLEDO IN 1913 



25 




THE MAUMEE RAPIDS 

At Turkey Foot Rock, Sulphur Spring. 



26 




HEAD OF THE MAUMEE RAPIDS 

Showing Buttonwood Island where "the last body of Indians were gathered together previous to 

taking them to the Neosho Reservation. There were nine remnants of tribes — 800 in all." 



To this General Wayne replied : 

"Without questioning- the authority or propriety, sir, of your 
interrogation, I think I may, without breach of decorum, observe to 
you, were you entitled to an answer, the most full and satisfactory 
one was announced to you from the muzzles of my small arms yes- 
terday morning in the engagement in the vicinity of your post, 
which terminated gloriously to the American arms, but had it con- 
tinued until the Indians were driven under the influence of the post 
you mention, they would not have much impeded the progress of 
the victorious army under my command, and no such fort was estab- 
lished at the commencement of the present war between the Indians 
and the United States." 

Major Campbell replied the next day with the statement that 
he had f oreborne to resent the insults which had been offered to the 
British flag flying at Fort Miami. "But," he concluded, "should you 
after this continue to approach my post in the threatening manner 
that you are at this moment doing, my indispensable duty to my 
King and country will oblige me to recourse to those measures 
which thousands of either nation may hereafter have cause to 
regret." 

After this communication was received General Wayne and 
staff reconnoitered Fort Miami. It was found to be a very strong 
fort. The front covered by the Maumee river and protected by 
four guns. The rear had two regular bastions furnished with eight 
pieces of artillery. The whole surrounded by a wide ditch, about 
25 feet deep, from the top of the parapet. It was supposed to have 
been garrisoned by 450 soldiers. 

General Wayne sent a note to Major Cambell stating, in effect, 
that the British government had no right to occupy the territory, 
and demanded an immediate evacuation of the fort. 

To this no reply was received. 

Recognizing the strength of the position that he had occupied, 
General Wayne concluded to withdraw his army, perfectly satisfied 
with the results of his campaign, having accomplished all the gov- 
ernment required of him. 

On August 27, 1794, he started with his army for Fort Defiance, 
where he remained for several weeks. 

On September 5th he returned to Fort Washington. 

During the winter following. General Wayne and his staflf spent 
most of their time in holding councils with Indian chiefs. "Smok- 
ing the pipe of peace," and the result of these council gatherings 
was concluded at Fort Greenville, where, on August 3rd, 1795, 
a treaty was signed which declared permanent peace between the 
Indians and the United States. The agreement was signed by 
twelve hostile tribes. 

28 




PRESQUE ISLE HILL AND TURKEY FOOT ROCK. 

The scene of the battle of Fallen Timbers. The chief Turkey Foot was killed while standing 

upon this rock commanding his savages. He was buried near the rock. 



29 




THE RETURN OF TURKEY FOOT ROCK 
Reception and jollification of the citizens of Maumee and the valley. 



30 





THE TOMB OF GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE 
General Wayne returned to Erie, Pennsylvania, early in the winter of 1796. He remained but a 
short time until he was prostrated with what proved a fatal illness. He died December 15th, 
1796. At his request, he was buried under the old flag-staff, at the block house. Fort Erie, 
on the bluff commanding the entrance to the harbor. 



31 



The result of the Battle of Fallen Timbers restored peace and 
tranquility on the northwest frontier. 

Trading posts were established, a more friendly relationship 
existed between the whites and the Indians. 

Marietta was the first settlement in the Northwest Territory, 
and for many years was the center of "general dealings with the 
Indians of the interior." 



^ 



INCIDENTS WHICH LED TO THE WAR OF 1812 AND 1813. 

Ohio was admitted into the Union in 1803. 

It was a new country, rich in land, timber, and became one of 
the attractive "Western States," 

England saw this rapid advancement of the Americans and 
"threw a barrier across the northwest, and, through the Indians, 
warned the Americans they would be driven from the country." 

The Indian depredations continued until a requisition was made 
by President James Madison upon Governor Return Jonathan Meigs, 
of Ohio, for 1,200 militia. 

On June 26th, 1812, the United States declared war against 
England. Immediately the soldiers of the Ohio militia camped in 
the Miami Valley at Fort Hamilton and Fort Greenville were 
ordered to report at Piqua, where General William Henry Harrison 
was stationed with regulars. 

On September 17th, 1812, General Harrison was made com- 
mander-in-chief of the Northwest Territory. He was familiar with 
the country, having served as lieutenant under General Wayne at 
the Battle of Fallen Timbers. General Harrison was born at Berk- 
ley, Virginia, February 9th, 1773, and at the time of his appoint- 
ment was thirty-nine years old. His army consisted of regular 
troops, rangers, militia from Ohio, volunteers from Kentucky and 
detached militia and volunteers from Pennsylvania and Virginia, 
making an army of two thousand able-bodied men. Stationed at 
Fort Wayne and Fort Defiance, under General James Winchester, 
there were twenty-seven hundred men. 

32 




GENERAL WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON 

Ninth President of the United States. Born at Berkley Virginia, February 9, 1773. 

Died at Washington, D. C, April 4, 1841. 



33 



When General Harrison arrived at Fort Defiance he found the 
old fort, built by General Wayne, in ruins, and it was necessary to 
build a new one. This was done, and completed October 15, 1812, 
and named Fort Winchester. After leaving sufficient men, pro- 
visions, ammunition and extra equipment at the forts along the 
frontier border. General Harrison arrived at the Maumee rapids 
with twenty-three hundred men. 

"The story of General Harrison's march to the Maumee rapids 
from Fort Greenville is the saddest that the history of the Maumee 
Valley has recorded, the sufferings of the men were probably the 
greatest of their kind that American soldiers have ever endured. 
Cold, rain, snow, mud, almost impenetrable forests, swamps, scarcity 
of food, sickness ; but withal the Military vigilance was maintained 
as fully as practicable against being surprised by the savages. Re- 
connoitering parties kept the immediate country under surveillance 
and spies were often dispatched to more distant points. It took 
eleven days to march forty miles." General Harrison and his staff" 
of able oflficers had well in hand the activity of the Indians and were 
familiar with the movements of the British, throughout the entire 
Northwest. While General Harrison was not always with the main 
army in its advancement toward the mouth of the Maumee river, 
he was well informed of all movements, and held frequent councils 
with his officers. 



34 



THE BATTLE AND MASSACRE OF THE RIVER RAISIN. 

General Winchester had command of the left wing of the army 
and advanced without orders from General Harrison as far as Fort 
Deposit. His excuse for this rash act was that the people along 
the west shore of Lake Erie, and especially on the Raisin river, in 
Michigan, reported that the British soldiers and the Indians, at 
Frenchtown, were committing such horrible depredations among 
the scattered settlers, they implored protection. On January 10, 
1813, General Winchester arrived near Presque Isle Hill, on the 
south side of General Wayne's battlefield of Fallen Timbers. Here 
a camp was fortified, and a store house for provisions and baggage 
was built, and on January 19th, with about 900 men, arrived at 
Frenchtown (now Monroe, Michigan), after a hard march across 
the ice, which was not solid, on the afternoon of January 20th. 
General Winchester divided his little army into two divisions, the 
main under his command, the second under Colonel Lewis, who had 
the south side of the river. Colonel Lewis defeated the savages in 
several skirmishes, and Colonels Allen and Wells, with a force of 
one hundred and fifty, were ordered to join Colonel Lewis. They 
again engaged the enemy near Frenchtown, and defeated them, 
driving them beyond the Raisin river. 

General Winchester, on learning of the success of his Colonels, 
marched, with the remainder of his army, about five hundred men, 
to the settlement, where, in the home of a friend, he, rejoicing at 
the success of his men, lived in luxury, which he needed after 
many weeks in the midst of forest wilds, privation and sufferings, 
but did not take the necessary precaution to guard against sur- 
prises. Soothed by the kind hospitality of his host and the false 
assurances received from a Frenchman in sympathy with the 
British, "there was no truth in the report that the British and the 
savages were camped near the settlement with large forces," he 
settled down to some enjoyment. This was a magic spell of se- 
curity and peace, like the momentary calm preceding a disastrous 
storm. No spies were sent out, no special preparations made for 
the safety of the troops. 

At daybreak on the morning of January 22, 1813, his army 
of about seven hundred were aroused by the discharge of grape- 
shot from the British battery, erected during the night and within 
three hundred feet on the north side of the camp, and the yells 
of the Indians, who had surrounded them on all sides. 

The result was inevitable. About three hundred were killed in 
the fierce combat and later massacreed. Five hundred and forty- 

35 




MONUMENT— RIVER RAISIN— MONROE 

The lettering: on the Monument : 

'Site of battles, Jan. 18-22, Gen. Winchester in command, and River Raisin Massacre, 

Jan. 23. 1813." 
"Erected 1904 by the Civic Improvement Society of the Women of Monroe." 



36 



seven were taken prisoners. Others were missing. General Win- 
chester was taken prisoner. 

General Henry A. Proctor, who was in command of the British, 
informed General Winchester that Colonel Lewis, with one hundred 
and fifty "men, were stationed behind pickets, and, "If you desire 
to save the lives of these men, and the 447 already prisoners, he 
must command Colonel Lewis to surrender." 

General Winchester sent a flag of truce across the river, or- 
dering- the men under command of Colonel Lewis to surrender. 
They surrendered on condition of being protected from any in- 
dignities by the Indians. General Proctor agreed to these terms. 

How these promises were ignored, and how fully the savages 
reveled in butchery, is not within the province of this history to 
describe. Officers and soldiers were tomahawked in cold blood. 
But thirty-seven men escaped. 

The British officers claimed: "We had no control over the In- 
dians when they began to massacre." 

One of the men who escaped told General Harrison: "The 
scene of massacre was the most hideous sight ever witnessed by 
man." 

General Winchester was sent to Quebec, where he was confined 
until the spring of 1814, when he was exchanged. He returned to 
his home in Tennessee, where he died July 26, 1826. 

When General Harrison learned of the disastrous defeat of 
General Winchester he sent relief, but, meeting the few escaped 
soldiers, they returned to Fort Meigs. 



S7 




MONUMENT COMMEMORATING RAISIN RIVER MASSACRE 

In 1904 the State of Michigan erected a monument at Memorial Place in the City of Monroe to 
commemorate the massacre. The lettering on the monument is as follows : 
"Michigan's Tribute to Kentucky." 
"This Monument is Dedicated to the Memory of the Heroes who Lost their Lives in Our Country's 
Defense in the Battle and Massacre of the River Raisin, Jan. 22 and 23, 1813." 
"Erected by the State of Michigan, 1904." 
Eight Hundred Americans, under Colonels Lewis, Allen and Wells fought desperately against 
3,000 British and Indian Allies under General Proctor. Forced to surrender, though 
promised British protection, the prisoners left unguarded were attacked and killed by the 
Indians. 



38 




GOVERNOR RETURN JONATHAN MEIGS 
United Slates Senator, from Ohio, 1808-'10. Governor of Ohio, 1810-'14. 
master 1814-'23. Born at Middletown, Conn., December 1740. 
Cherokee Agency, January 28, 1823. 



United States Post- 
Died at the 



39 



THE SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS. 

No series of events in the entire history of the United States 
are more interesting or form a stronger link in the successful 
struggles for national independence than those connected, directly 
and indirectly, with the history of Fort Meigs. 

It is surprising that so little prominence is given, in the many 
histories of the United States, to the campaigns, battles, that gave 
to America the Northwest Territory, which comprised the states 
of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. 

Fort Meigs was the headquarters of this territory. It was the 
gateway through which England expected to pass. 

General William Henry Harrison was commander-in-chief of 
the Army of the Northwest Territory, which not only included 
the land forces, but he held daily councils with the commanders 
of the new navy, and kept in touch with every movement both 
land and water, "along the shores of Lake Erie." The fort was 
named after Governor Meigs. The peculiarity of his name, Return 
Jonathan Meigs, often causes one to ask, why "Return?" Gov- 
ernor Meigs had been a soldier, a Senator and Postmaster General 
of the United States. He was named after his father, Jonathan 
Meigs, with the addition of "Return," on account of the following 
incident: Jonathan Meigs had a sweetheart, a very pretty Quaker 
girl, who was destined to become the grandmother of the governor. 
To young Jonathan's plea for grace and favor at her hand, her 
lips said no, while her heart said yes. The unhappy youth, with 
shattered hopes and a broken heart, turned from her to face the 
cold, unsympathizing world. With bowed head he slowly crossed 
the meadow field, and as he was about to climb the old rail fence, 
he turned his head to take a farewell look. Their eyes met, she 
beckoned him to come back with her hand. His face brightened 
as she called to him in her prim Quaker parlance, "RETURN JONA- 
THAN," The sweet voice sounding across the meadow was to him 
the pardon of a queen. His heart was light; he hastened to her 
side and — the love quarrel ended. That he might always hear the 
words spoken by that same sweet voice, they named their first- 
born "RETURN JONATHAN MEIGS," 

On February 2nd, 1813, General Harrison began the construc- 
tion of Fort Meigs, and completed it on February 16, 1813, It was 
composed of heavy timber, earthworks; two traverses, one had 
the base of twenty feet, twelve feet in height, about nine hundred 
feet in length ; the other, the smaller of the two, about five hun- 
dred feet in length and ten feet in height. They were raised as a 
protection against the batteries of the British on both sides of 




Photo— C. R. Morgan 



GENERAL GREEN CLAY'S BATTLE GROUND 



General Clay with 490 men, while Colonel Dudley went across the river, was surprised by the 
grreat number of Indians in trying to stop his entrance into Fort Meig:s. A battle ensued, 
and not until General Harrison sent Major Alexander, with 200 Pennsylvania volunteers, to 
assist the Kentuckians, did Clay succeed in arriving at the fort. The Indians were within 
150 yards of the fort, behind trees. "For 30 minutes it was a hand to hand fight." 
Today, after the elapse of 100 years, after every spring freshet, the inhabitants find more 
bullets, cannon balls and Indian relics on this ground than upon any other in the valley. 



41 




FORT MEIGS 

Facing the river and Maumee City. Showing the line of fortification where were stationed the 

guns and mortar batteries, the block houses and lookouts. 



42 



the river. The fort covered about nine acres of land. A deep 
ravine ran through a portion of the fort, in which were caves made 
for the retreat of the men when they saw the flash of the enemies' 
big guns on the opposite side of the river. These rooms were 
shot and bomb proof, except when a large shell fell into the tra- 
verse. The block houses, batteries, magazine and connecting 
lines of defense were such as to inspire confidence of the little 
army. Two or three wells were instantly dug. General Harrison, 
anticipating that the British would make their appearance on the 
opposite side of the river, as soon as the ice broke up, put all the 
force at command in making the fort "A grand bulwark of defense." 
Early in April General Harrison was advised that the British, 
under General Proctor, and Tecumseh commanding the Indians, 
were in great force at and around Fort Miami. According to British 
reports, the "British army consisted of 1,000 regulars and Cana- 
dians, accompanied by a train of artillery, attended by two gun- 
boats, and Tecumseh's Indians, numbering about 2,100. One of 
the battery guns was a twenty-four pounder." General Harrison, 
to defend the fort, could not muster more than 1,000 men. On 
April 27th the British established their gun batteries, directly op- 
posite Fort Meigs, in places to suit conditions. These guns were 
moved from one place to another where the gunners could throw 
bombs into the fort. In the rear and on both sides of the river 
Tecumseh had his Indians. In all, the British and allies numbered 
about 3,000. 

On May 1st over three hundred shots were fired from the 
shore batteries and one hundred from a gunboat in tow of a small 
steam vessel, some distance down the river. On May 2nd and 3rd 
a continuous firing resulted in killing six Americans and wound- 
ing twenty-eight. The Americans feebly returned the firing, using 
the balls gathered from the ground, coming from the enemies' guns. 
At one time four wagon loads of balls were picked up. 

On the night of May 3rd General Harrison received word that 
a British officer, Major Chambers, had landed at the foot of the 
hill, bearing a flag of truce. Major Hukill, General Harrison's aide, 
was sent to meet him. The officer told his errand, that he came 
to demand the surrender of the garrison. Major Hukill replied 
that such a command was useless. The officer insisted on seeing 
General Harrison. He was taken, blind-folded, to the general. The 
following is the conversation : 

Major Chambers — "General Proctor has directed me to de- 
mand the surrender of the post. He wished to spare the effusion 
of blood." 

General Harrison — "The demand, under present circumstances, 
is a most extraordinary one. As General Proctor did not send me a 

43 




REAR VIEW OF FORT MEIGS 
Showing the portion of the Grand Traverse where the soldiers retired in artificial caves, in com- 
mand of one of the militia men who stood upon the embankment and forewarned them of 
every shot. "He was so skillful he could predict the destination of every ball. jOne day 
there came a shot that seemed to defy his calculations. He stood silent, motionless, per- 
plexed. In the same instant he was swept into eternity." 



44 



summons to surrender on his first arrival, I had supposed that he 
beheved me determined to do my duty. His present message indi- 
cates an opinion of me that I am at a loss to account for." 

Major Chambers — "General Proctor could never think of saying- 
anything that would wound your feelings. The character of Gen- 
eral Harrison, as an officer, is too well known. General Proctor's- 
force is very respectable, and there is with him a large body of 
Indians, larger than was ever assembled before." 

General Harrison — "I believe I have a very correct idea of 
General Proctor's force; it is not such as to create the least appre- 
hension for the result, whatever shape he may be pleased to give it 
hereafter. Assure the general however, that this spot will never 
be surrendered to him on any terms. Should it fall into his hands, 
it will be in a manner calculated to do him more honor, and give 
him higher claims on the gratitude of his government than any 
capitulation could possibly do." 

Major Chambers shook hands with the general and took his 
departure. Immediately after his return there followed a continu- 
ous heavy firing. 

At twelve o'clock, on the night of May 4th, Captain William 
Oliver brought the message to General Harrison that General Clay, 
with about 1,200 Kentuckians, was approaching down the river in 
flatboats, and was within two hours of the fort. Under orders of 
General Harrison, 800 of the men, under command of Colonel Dud- 
ley, landed on the British side of the river, near the battlefield of 
Fallen Timbers, and by a rapid and secret march, were to come down 
upon the enemy's batteries, spike their cannon, and then retreat 
under cover of Fort Meigs. The other division of 400 men came 
down the river upon the side occupied by the Americans, and when 
within a short distance from the fort they discovered Indians in 
great numbers hidden in the forest. After hard fighting they suc- 
ceeded in reaching the fort with but little loss. The conflict upon 
the eastern side of the river attracted the attention of the British, 
and heavy cannonading followed from their guns stationel on the 
banks oposite Fort Meigs. The firing was so heavy and continuous 
that the Americans did not hear their artillery or notice the cannon 
balls plowing the hillsides. While the foe was engaged in this act 
Colonel Dudley's Kentuckians rushed down upon the rear, took their 
batteries, spiked their guns, gaining a most glorious victory. 

"If Colonel Dudley had retreated to the rear," said General 
Harrison, "as I had commanded him to, happy would it have been 
for him and his men ; but unfortunately the Indians raised their war- 
whoop in the forest, and that was more than any Kentuckian ever 
could stand, so our victors rushed madly to meet their mortal foe." 
Colonel Dudley pursued the enemy far into the forest, to such a 

45 




FORT MEIGS 
The natural ravine where the soldiers were quartered during the siege in 1813. 



46 



distance that General Proctor was enabled to throw from his camp, 
at Fort Miami, a sufficient force to intercept, kill and capture all 
but 150 of those brave and most unfortunate men. The surrender 
was made to the British, and not to the Indians. The prisoners, 
685 men, were taken down to Fort Miami, and there was enacted a 
tragedy that will never be forgotten by those who claim kinship, 
either in blood or patriotism, to that devoted band. Approaching 
the fort, and in the fort, the men were stripped, scourged, shot and 
tomahawked by the Indians, under the eyes of the British officers, 
whose weak protest against this appalling cruelty bears conviction 
that they were worse men at heart than the savages themselves, 
whom they encouraged. It comes from English authority that the 
flesh of some of the prisoners was boiled and eaten by the Indians, 
and in the vicinity of the British officers' headquarters. It was 
Tecumseh who put an end to this carnage. He upbraided Proctor 
for not preventing the massacre, and told him he was unfit to com- 
mand. 

So sincere was Tecumseh's protest against the manner of killing 
the prisoners that he held a council of chiefs and informed Proctor 
that the Indians would desert him. In fact, so great became their 
dissatisfaction, and the heavy firing from Fort Meigs continuing, 
that, on May 5th, the Indians retired to the forest, "away from 
Proctor's camp." There was no firing from the British guns from 
May 6th to the 10th. On the 11th Proctor raised the siege and 
returned down the river, and sailed out upon the lake. He retreated 
to Amherstburg. 

After Proctor's departure a detachment from General Harri- 
son's army was sent to gather up the dead, and the majority of the 
bodies found through the woods were brought to Fort Meigs and 
buried. One of the men, who entered Fort Miami and saw the result 
of the massacre, wrote the following: "My face turned white as 
snow when I looked down over the fort and saw more than a hundred 
of my fellow comrades all lying in one mass of blood, so that it was 
impossible to recognize my most intimate companion." 



47 



"REPORT OF THE DUDLEY'S DEFEAT." 
By a Prisoner. 

"I, Leslie Combs, of Kentucky, was a soldier engaged in the 
battle known as The Dudley's Defeat. We had 800 men, and came 
out with 150. I was a prisoner taken by the Indians. Tecumseh 
had fallen upon our rear, and we were compelled to surrender. We 
were marched down to old Fort Miami in squads. The Indians, 
fully armed, had formed themselves into two lines in front of the 
gateway, between which all of us were bound to pass. Many were 
killed or wounded in running the gauntlet. The small British 
guard around us were utterly unable to afford protection. They 
called loudly for General Proctor and Colonel Elliott to come to 
our relief. At this critical moment Tecumseh came rushing in and 
denounced the murderers of prisoners as cowards. I shall never 
forget the gallant bearing and sonorous voice of that remarkable 
man, while addressing his warriors in our behalf. He was brave, 
human and generous. At Fort Miami he saved the lives of all of 
us who had survived the running of the gauntlet." 

General Proctor, on the morning of the 9th, raised the siege 
and departed. 



48 





• 


GLieria&c^^ 




"1 


rf. 










^S^H 








' 


- 




■""^■^^:^ 




• 






< •./ 






i^^^^^H 


HHi 




a 






.#* 




■~^ 



FORT MEIGS— (Harrison Point) 

Where General Harrison stood watching the movements of Colonel Dudiey's attack 

upon the opposite side of the river. 



49 



^^^k. 




^^^Iwi. 




,^^ 




^ V ■ . J. .- 


f-^/'rr- ; -. 




. 1 






J 



FORT MEIGS 

The Northerly section of the Grand Traverse. 



50 




THE BURIAL GROUND OF COL. DUDLEY AND HIS MEN 

'On May G, 1813, after the massacre of Col. Dudley and his men, we brought to Fort Meiga the 

remains of Col. Dudley and about one hundred and thirty Kentuckians 

and buried them there." 



51 



SECOND SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS. 

Believing the British would again visit the valley, General 
Harrison enlarged the fort by building a double stockade and 
"piling logs over the face of the ravine entrance ; repairing the 
block houses, magazine, and making the entrenchments deeper and 
longer." 

On the 20th of July General Proctor returned with a larger 
force. The Indians, under Tecumseh, had been gathering from all 
parts of the country, and when General Proctor returned he was 
assured of their earnest support ; and the second siege began by the 
Indians. Tecumseh planned to draw the garrison from the fort 
by a ruse. On July 26th the British camped beyond a ravine below 
the fort, and the Indians were stationed in the forest to the east. 
"About an hour before dark they began a sham battle among 
themselves." As the fort proved too strong to be taken by assault, 
they expected to deceive the Americans into the belief a battle was 
going on between the Indians and a reinforcement for the fort. "So 
true was the battle, and so perfect the firing, mingled with the yells 
of the Indians, that many of the officers believed the enemy were 
really attacking reinforcements for the garrison, and every man 
was ordered to arms." 

General Clay satisfied the men that no new troops were sent 
to the fort. A heavy shower of rain ended this sham battle. 

Many shots were fired from the British guns, but without 
effect. For several days the enemy surrounded the fort, the In- 
dians keeping well out of the range of the guns. 

General Proctor, finding his efforts were in vain, and fearing 
the loss of several tribes of Indians, who were dissatisfied, he again 
sailed down the river and towards Fort Stephenson. He was seri- 
ously annoyed by the Americans in the successful use of the artil- 
lery as he sailed down the bay and out upon the lake. 

The Americans lost, in the siege of Fort Meigs, eighty-one were 
killed in the fort, and one hundred and eighty-nine wounded. Sixty- 
four were killed in the sorties, and one hundred and twenty-four 
wounded. Colonel Dudley's detachment is not included in this 
estimate. 



S2 




THE HARRISON WELL 
Which supplied the garrison with water, Fort Meisa. 



53 



Photo— C. R. MoiKun 

WHERE THE BRITISH BATTERIES WERE LOCATED OPPOSITE FORT MEIGS 

It was the order of General Harrison that Colonel Dudley, with a detachment of reg^ulars, should 

go to the rear of these batteries, spike the guns, and fight his way back to the fort. This 

was done, but so great was the victory Colonel Dudley followed the savages until he was 

caught in a trap. 



54 




THE ELM TREE, MAUMEE 

Made famous on account of Indian Sharp-shooters stationed in the tree tops who annoyed the 
soldiers at Fort Meigs, by firing at them when near the river bank. When discovered 
General Harrison ordered the use of the old musket, known as "The Blunderbuss" — it was 
80 heavy it took two men to handle it. After several shots were fired no more Indians in 
the elm tree. They killed two. 



53 




Photo— C. R. Morgan 
THE OLD ELM TREE. AT MAUMEE, AND THE RESIDENCE OF THE LATE MORRISON 

R. WAITE. WHERE HE LIVED FROM 1839 TO 1849 
Chief Justice Waite was born at Lyme, Connecticut, November 29th, 1816. He died in Washing- 
ton, D. C, March 23rd, 1888. In 1874 he was nominated to the high office of Chief Justice 
of the United States Supreme Court, confirmed by the Senate March 4th, same year, and 
immediately entered upon his duties. 



56 



THE DEFENSE OF FORT STEPHENSON. 

Fort Stephenson (now Fremont, Ohio) was the rendezvous of 
General P-i^octor's army and the Indians. The fort was in command 
of Colonel George Croghan, who was born near Louisville, Ken- 
tucky, November 15, 1791. 

On the evening of July 31, 1813, General Proctor, with his 
fleet, arrived at the head of navigation of the Sandusky river, a 
short distance below the fort. The Indians, under Tecumseh, were 
stationed in the forest on the road leading to Fort Meigs. The 
combined forces of the British and Indians numbered about 3,700. 

On the morning of August 1st, General Proctor demanded the 
surrender of Fort Stephenson, with threats of a general massacre 
in case of refusal. The young commander, worthy of the blood that 
bounded in his veins, answered : "If you take this fort you will find 
nobody left to surrender it. Rather than yield, the garrison will die 
to the last man." About four o'clock in the afternoon the enemy 
fired its first gun from one of the boats. The firing continued at 
intervals during the night. To induce the belief that Colonel 
Croghan had more than one gun, he changed the piece from one 
place to another. During the night the enemy had planted two 
cannon on a small hill about 250 yards from the fort. By this move- 
ment Colonel Croghan concluded that General Proctor intended 
storming the fort. He at once strengthened that point. Under 
cover the cannon was removed to the block house, in a position from 
which it could rake the ravine. The embrasure was masked, and 
the cannon loaded with a double charge of slugs and grape shot. 
As was anticipated, "a column of 350 British regulars, followed by 
Indians, attempted the assault." 

With shouts of the men, the yells of the Indians, and the dis- 
charge of the musketry, the enemy, certain of victory, rushed up 
the narrow enclosure. Suddenly there was a pause. The masked 
port hole was seen to open, and the six-pounder, at a distance of 
forty feet, poured such destruction among them that but few who 
entered the ditch proper were fortunate enough to escape. The 
Indians quickly retreated to the forest. 

The loss of the enemy, killed and wounded, was 156. The loss 
of the Americans was one killed and seven wounded. The assault 
lasted but half an hour. The white flag of the mortally wounded 
leader was seen through the smoke, and his cries for mercy heard 
above the groans of the wounded — "asking for that mercy which, 
but a short time before, he had directed his men to deny." The In- 
dians disappeared through the forest, and General Proctor made 
a hasty retreat down the river. 




"OLD BETSY CROGHAN" 

Canncn used by Colonel George Croghan against the British in the defense of Fort Stephenson, 

August 1st to 2nd, 1813. 



58 



The cannon used by Colonel Croghan at this famous battle now 
stands at the fort overlooking a beautiful city. It is familiarly 
known as "Old Betsy Croghan." 

Colonel Croghan died at New Orleans, Louisiana, January 8th, 
1849. 

It is often asked who was, and what became of General Proc- 
tor? Henry A. Proctor was born in Wales, 1765. He was in com- 
mand of a regiment in Canada in 1812. He defeated the Americans, 
under General James Winchester, at Frenchtown, in 1813. Was 
repulsed by General Harrison at Fort Meigs ; by Colonel Croghan at 
Fort Stephenson, and by General Harrison at the battle of the 
Thames, October 5th, 1813. This battle forever broke up the con- 
federacy of the English and Indians against the United States. 
Eight hundred out of 875 British regulars surrendered to General 
Harrison. The battle was so quickly decided that few were killed 
on either side. General Proctor made his escape with a squadron 
of dragoons. He died at Liverpool, England, in 1859. 



U^ 




59 



PETER NAVARRE 



History of his life, as a Scout to General 
Harrison. 

Written hy Himself. 




PETER NAVARRE 

The famous scout, under General Harrison. 



61 



PETER NAVARRE. 
By M. P. Murphy. 

Some day when the Truth has reclaimed from the tomb 

This tale, which a century has shrouded in gloom, 

The tongue of a master shall tell it, and then 

Men will listen, and clamor to hear it again. 

And when it is told in the ages to come, 

Men's eyes will be moist and men's lips will be dumb. 

And the patriot pilgrim will come from afar, 

To kneel at the Grave of Peter Navarre. 

The frontier blazed and the borderland bled 

With the tomahawk's stroke, and the midnight was red 

With the fierce flames which followed the red raider's brand, 

For the fiends of Tecumseh were abroad in the land 

It was then, in the moment of danger and dread. 

The Avenger strode forth with a price on his head. 

And the legends still tell, how all through that war. 

Death rode in the saddle with Peter Navarre. 



Defrauded by Fate and neglected by Fame, 
No stone tells the story, no slab bears the name 
Of the hero whose life was an epic sublime. 
But a people will know in the fullness of time, 
When the love of a Nation and voice of a bard 
Shall give to a hero a hero's reward. 
Then stain shall not tarnish or blemish shall mar 
The glory which halos the name of Navarre, 



6? 



PETER NAVARRE. 
Written by Himself. Published for the First Time. 

On the 18th day of January, 1813, my brothers, Robert and 
James, and I took part in an engagement fought on the Raisin 
river; we were commanded by Colonel Lewis, who defeated the 
enemy. In this engagement we brothers took an Indian prisoner. 
On the 22nd day of January the English attacked our forces on the 
same place and defeated us, being vastly our superior in numbers. 
They took General Winchester, Colonel Lewis and the whole army 
prisoners ; two or three hundred that tried to save themselves in the 
woods were surrounded and unmercifully butchered by the Indians. 
When we saw that General Winchester and Colonel Lewis were sur- 
rendering, I escaped in the company of my brothers, James and 
Robert, being dressed as Indians. This, however, the Indians soon 
discovered, and they sent a volley after us and also many followed 
us, but we were too far in advance, and not relishing the idea of 
being scalped and tomahawked, and being, rnoreover, good runners. 
we succeeded in making our escape unhurt. 

We arrived at the lake shore near the mouth of the Raisin river 
and crossed on the ice in the direction of Cedar Point, whence, 
after having rested a few moments, we made for Presq'ile, where 
our parents lived, by a circuitous route through the woods. Next 
day we set out to bring tidings to General Harrison of the defeat 
of General Winchester and the catastrophe of the massacre. We 
met him at Portage river, near the foot of the rapids, and came 
back with him and his force to the place where Fort Meigs since 
stood, and which fort was then immediately begun. It was there 
that we entered the army as volunteers and there I received my 
gun by order of General Harrison. 

The first engagement during which I used this gun was be- 
tween the American General Dudley and the English General Proc- 
tor, In this battle Dudley was defeated and made prisoner. When 
the Indians, at the instigation of Proctor, were about to kill him, 
Tecumseh, the great Indian chief, prevented the massacre of this 
General and two hundred and fifty or three hundred Americans 
who had been taken prisoners with him. The remainder of the 
force, five to six hundred, had been killed in battle. Only two 
escaped and they were Lesley Comb and I. My brothers, James 
and Robert, did not take part in this battle. We took refuge in 
Fort Meigs. The cause of this defeat was this: Ger'^ral Dudley 
had received orders from General Harrison to take or spike the 
English cannon on the other side of the river, opposite the fort, 

63 



and to retreat immediately into the fort, but he disobeyed orders, 
and trying to attack the Indians in the woods, he fell into an am- 
bush and met with a most disastrous defeat. 

In the month of June of the same year (1813), the English 
attacked Fort Stephenson at Sandusky. General Harrison was 
then at Seneca Town, now Fremont. Colonel Croghan, a young 
man, commanded the fort and defeated the English, who left four 
hundre'^ dead, and retreated to Fort Maiden, whence they came. 
When General Harrison left Fort Meigs he placed General Grinck- 
ley in command of said fort. I accompanied General Harrison in 
all of his subsequent movements. 

I carried this gun when bringing dispatches to Commodore 
Perry, relative to the naval engagement on Lake Erie, which soon 
followed. This was during the first days of September. After 
Perry's victory we marched to Detroit and arrived there on the 29th 
day of September in the same year (1813). 

I took part in the battle of the Thames, which was fought in 
the month of October. This battle, which lasted only three or four 
hours, was fierce in the extreme. Here, as is well known, Tecumseh 
was killed. Colonel Johnson, under whose command I fought, was 
wounded and had his horse killed under him, while he was down. 
Tecumseh sprang from behind a tree to tomahawk and scalp him. 
I saw an Indian pouncing upon my Colonel and fired with this gun 
upon him. He fell and the war cry of Tecumseh was heard no more. 
As soon as the Indians knew that Tecumseh was killed they fled 
precipitately and were gone in an instant. On the next morning 
early General Harrison commanded Nedard LeCadie and me to help 
him look for the remains of Tecumseh. He expressed the opinion 
that Tecumseh must be killed as the Indians had fled so suddenly. 
We repaired to the place where Colonel Johnson had been wounded, 
and found the Indian that had been killed by me. The Indian, dead, 
had been mutilated and disfigured, especially in the face, by our 
soldiers after the battle, and it would have been almost impossible 
to recognize Tecumseh had it not been for his powerful frame and 
imposing stature ; the convincing proof of the identity of the man, 
however, was a large scar caused by a very severe burn on his right 
thigh. General Harrison, who knew Tecumseh intimately, thought 
of this and, having examined the corpse, we at once saw that it was 
he. General Harrison ordered us to give the remains of Tecumseh 
a decent burial, and, having fulfilled his orders, he told us, "You 
have buried a brave man." 

After the battle of the Thames, we returned to Detroit and I 
was there relieved from service and returned to Pdesq'ile on the 
Maumee river. After having obtained my honorable discharge I 




TECUMSEH 

Tecumseh was a member of the Turtle tribe of Indians, of the Shawnee Nation. Born on the 
banks of the Great Miami River in the year 1768. He had great influence over all Indians, 
and was engaged in nearly every battle participated in by Indians. "His face was finely pro- 
portioned; his nose inclined to the aquiline, and his eye displayed none of that savage and 
ferocious triumph common to the Indians. When a young man his favorite pastime was 
canoeing on the Miami. He was killed by Peter Navarre in the little of The Thames, 
October 5th, 1813." 



65 



offered to leave my gun, but General Harrison bade me keep it, 
saying: "Navarre, the gun which you used during the service is 
yours." I took it along and have used it until a few years ago, when 
my eyesight becoming too weak, I could not make use of it any 
longer. 

With this identical gun I have killed panthers, bears, wolves, 
wild cats and innumerable quantity of deer, coons, foxes, wild tur- 
keys, geese, swans and ducks, prairie chickens and quails, and 
all other kinds of small game. Although I had never occasion to 
use this gun to defend myself against Indians, after the war al- 
luded to above, it has, however, often saved my life, for without it 
I should have starved. It was originally supplied with a flint lock, 
but as it wanted repairs, I took it to Detroit in the year 1837 and 
there it was changed into a percussion lock. 

This gun has been in my possession during an uninterrupted 
period of fifty-six years, and was new when I received it at Fort 
Meigs. The powderhorn and ammunition bag with this gun are not 
those I made use of in the war spoken of above, having been worn 
through by reason of the friction against each other, and having 
thus become completely useless, they were substituted by new 
ones, but the leathern strap attached thereto is the original strap 
which I wore attached to my powderhorn and ammunition bag from 
the time I received my gun. 

Being desirous that this gun and accompanying articles be pre- 
served as relics of the war of 1812, I have presented them this day 
to Henry Hall, Esq., of Toledo, who also owns my full length por- 
trait, painted from life, with great truth to nature, by Wm. H. 
Machen, of the same place, in the year 1867. Hoping thereby to 
contribute something towards the further elucidation of the early 
and interesting history of this country and thus to render in my 
old age this my last service to my countrymen. 

I was born on the 22nd day of January, 1787, in the city of De- 
troit. It was there that my grandfather, Robert Navarre, settled, 
coming from France. My father was also born in Detroit; my 
mother, whose maiden name was Marie Louise Panat V. Campean, 
was born in Vincennes, Ind. I came to the Maumee river with my 
father, mother and the whole family, comprising six boys, Francois, 
Robert, Jacob or James, Peter, Antoine, Alexis, and three girls, 
Nan, Louise, Geneveva Archange. There was nothing remarkable in 
the event of our family until the time that General Hull betrayed 
his army in so cowardly a manner at Detroit. My brothers and I 
had gone to Monroe to take up arms against the English, but after 
Hull's surrender we were all paroled by some English officers coming 
from Detroit for that purpose; this was, if I recollect right, in 

6$ 



August, 1812; we stayed in Monroe until the next year, when my 
narrative properly commences. 

The powderhorn, pouch and strap mentioned above I give to 
my friend, F. S. Nichols, whose acquaintance I made in the month 
of January-, 1836, and we have been best friends ever since. 

The strap is the identical strap I used in the war of 1812, and 
which was given to me by General Harrison. I wish you to keep 
it in remembrance of your old and true friend, Peter Navarre. 



THE INDIANS OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY. 

The problem of the origin of the North American Indian has 
never been satisfactorily solved by those who have made a line of 
study of this interesting subject. 

From scattered researches, traditional legends, it is believed 
the Indians came originally from Asia, via Behring strait. 

The names of all the nations and tribes who occupied the terri- 
tory centering in the Maumee Valley would form an extensive 
catalogue. It is sufficient to mention the names of tribes and num- 
ber of people, gathered from the most authentic authority, the 
government, taken in 1796. The names of the tribes appearing as 
they came to the Maumee Valley : 

Wyandottes 350 Kickapoos 600 

Shawnees 380 Choctaws 700 

Pottawatomies 750 Foxes 300 

Senecas 650 Sacs 450 

Ottawas 950 Hurons 780 

Delawares 390 Mohicans 275 

Miamis 400 Catawbas 280 

Sioux 560 Tonawandas 700 

Cherokees 2700 Chipewas 5000 

Fries 850 Mingoes 380 

Iroquois 980 Tuscarawas 400 

Not all these tribes engaged in the wars in the valley, many 
stopping for months en route to the west of the Mississippi river. 
Major B. Stickney, long an agent of the government, writes: 
"Prior to the nineteenth century, all the Indians in the Northwest 
Territory were at war with the Indians of the east, and it was not 
until the great chiefs, Tecumseh, Little Turtle and Turkey Foot, be- 



came such powerful leaders, did the wars cease between these now 
g-reatly reduced tribes." 

So many different tribes were in this valley that when councils 
were held interpreters were necessary between the tribes, as it 
was between the Americans and the Indians. 

Among- the most influential chiefs of the country none equalled 
the great Tecumseh. He was one of three at a birth. One was a 
"Prophet," and lived the greater part of his life in the Miami 
Valley, having his home in the little valley of Shawnee Creek, in 
Montgomery county. The third never appeared in history. 

The "Prophet" gained his reputation from the following: He 
had obtained the knowledge that there would be an eclipse of the 
sun in 1805. He told the chiefs and the warriors, , There will be 
darkness over the sun this year." It came true, and he became the 
"Prophet" for all the tribes in the '^'alley. His dreams and prophe- 
cies ceased after his terrible defeat in the battle of Tippecanoe, 
November 7th, 1811. 

Tecumseh means "Shooting Star," and the chief received this 
appellation from the following incident : He was sent to represent 
his, as well as a number of other tribes, at an Indian council of the 
Creeks in Illinois, to solicit their aid in fighting the Indians of the 
east. He was the greatest of Indian orators and had a magnetism 
which held the savages. While the Creeks were impressed with 
his eloquence, they refused to follow his advice. 

"Very well, my brave men, I will go straight to the lakes ; my 
people will stamp their feet upon the earth and the stars will fall," 
A month later the Creeks saw a comet, with shooting stars, in the 
northern skies. The Creeks appeared before Tecumseh, calling 
him "Shooting Star," and furnished warriors to fight the Indian 
Nations of the east, but to their sorrow, as they returned to their 
village a band. 

The late D. W. H. Howard, who knew Tecumseh, said: "His 
eloquence was concise and impressive. His friendship was stead- 
fast ; his promises were sacredly kept ; his anger was dreadful. His 
revenge was, like all savages, though often cherished in secret, 
horrible and effective as it was certain. The first battle in which 
he was engaged was on the site of Dayton, between a party of Ken- 
tuckians, under Colonel Benjamin Loga, and a band of Shawnees. 
He was then but seventeen years of age. He was one of the leading 
chiefs in the various battles along the frontier of the Northwest 
Territory. When the Indian Nations were reduced to tribes, and 
later to marauding bands, Tecumseh enlisted as a British subject. 
He was killed at the Battle of the Thames, in Canada, October 5, 
1813. At the time of his death he was 44 years of age, and held 
the commission of Brigadier General in the British army." 

68 




INDIAN VILLAGE. (From an old drawing— 1793) 

'The village of a tribe of Indians at the meeting of the waters of the Au Glaize and Miami-of- 

the — North (Maumee) Rivers." 



Next to Tecumseh was Little Turtle, the chief of the Miamis. 
At a council of the Indians, nine tribes being represented, before 
the battle of Fallen Timbers, he said to the warriors: "Listen to 
me. The Americans are led by a man who never sleeps. Day and 
night are alike to him. During his advances into our territory our 
spies report he was ever watchful, always on the lookout. He knew 
more about us than we knew about his army. Go slow. He eats 
our corn in perfect calmness. He sleeps with open eyes. He is a 
fighter. Go slow." His warriors did not heed his advice and the 
battle of Fallen Timbers forever discouraged Indians of the valley 
to fight without the aid of the British. Little Turtle, with Tecum- 
seh, visited President Washington, at Philadelphia. He died at 
Fort Wayne, and for many years the Indians visited his grave. 

The chief whose home was always in the Maumee Valley was 
Turkey Foot, of the Ottawas, and claimed all the land in the valley 
by right of possession. He was killed at the famous battle of Fallen 
Timbers, August 20th, 1794, and was buried where he fell, "beside 
the big rock." 

D. W. H. Howard wrote this for the author: "The Indians, 
with all their foibles and vices, there was something fascinating 
about them. I became so attached to some of the chiefs I knew in 
my boyhood that I cried when they were sent away from the Mau- 
mee. I have known many whites, who were stolen from their 
parents when very young, that when young men nothing could in- 
duce them to leave the Indian village. There was a woman among 
the Shawnees who, after I had secured the consent of several noted 
chiefs to release her, she absolutely refused. I also knew a woman, 
who was 105 years old, who was stolen from a frontiersman at Day- 
tion, when a mere child, but nothing could induce her to leave the 
Indians. With all the great number of Indians who made their 
homes in the valley, after so many years of war, between their own 
kind and the whites, there remained but a few hundred to take 
west. I had charge of the last lot, and on June 24th, 1838, as an 
agent for the government, I took 800 Indians, representing seven 
tribes, to the Neosho Valley. A few old chiefs remained." 



70 



Photo— C. R. Morgan 



MONUMENT AT FORT MEIGS 



'Erected by the State of Ohio, A. D. 1908, in recognition of the services of the gallant men who 
defended their country on this spot." Showing part of the Grand Traverse — the rampart — 
as it was in 1813 and is today, 1913. The walls of earth had a base of 20 feet, 12 feet in 
heighth, and Grand Traverse was about 900 feet in length. "The traverses were made on 
each side with good artillery great and small." The monument cost $14,000. It is 82 feet 
high and is located on the most prominent elevation of the fort and from its base can be 
seen one of the most inspiring and enchanting natural scenes in America. It is not only a 
monument in honor of the hundreds of buried soldiers but to the memory of the great events 
of the past. 



\y 




FORT MEIGS AND MONUMENT IN THE WINTER 



72 




Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, born South Kingston, Rhode Island, August 23rd, 1785. Won 

The Battle of Lake Erie, September 10th, 1813. Died at Port Said, Island of Trinidad, 

August 23rd, 1819. 
■"He announced his victory in a note to General Harrison, stationed at Fort Meigs, in these 

words— 'WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY, AND THEY ARE OURS." "—The Century Diction- 

ary and Cyclopedia. 



73 



THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE. 

During the occupation of Fort Meigs by General Harrison, the 
government learned that the British were preparing to invade the 
southern waters of Lake Erie, with a view of assisting General 
Proctor in his attacks upon the various American forts and stations, 
and that the British had a number of gunboats, comprising a fleet 
of half a dozen vessels. 

COMMODORE OLIVER H. PERRY was placed in command 
of an army of veteran soldiers, experienced both on land and water, 
and ordered to make his stand on the southern shores of the lake, 
where he could be in constant communication with General Harri- 
son. After the raising of the siege of Fort Meigs he was ordered 
to take his force to Fort Erie and superintend the construction of a 
number of vessels for his use. When he arrived two brigs, the 
Lawrence and the Niagara, were about completed. Two gunboats 
and a schooner were well under way. When the vessels were com- 
pleted the American fleet consisted of the Lawrence, Commodore 
Perry's flag ship ; the brig Niagara ; the Caledonia ; the Ariel ; the 
Scorpion; the Somers; the Porcupine; the Tigress, and the Tripp, 
nine (9) vessels in all, with fifty-four guns, and four hundred and 
ninety officers and men. 

Commodore Perry was born at South Kingston, Rhode Island, 
on August 23rd, 1785. He received a common school education, 
was a great reader, and from his youth loved the sea. At the age 
of 14 he became a midshipman in the United States navy and served 
in a number of battles. He received his commission as Lieutenant 
in 1812. He was 28 years of age when placed in command of the 
Lake Erie fleet. "He was a man of lofty stature, with a broad 
forehead, regular features, large black eyes, a smiling face, and 
his whole air was expressive of health, freshness, bearing the testi- 
mony of temperance and moderation." Peter Navarre, who had 
carried many messages between General Harrison and Commodore 
Perry, told the writer: "He was a man loved by everybody. He 
had great personal magnetism, and he could not only draw men to 
him, but hold them. His energy and ability to meet surprises were 
wonderful. The movements of the British fleet were known to 
General Harrison through scouts sent to Maiden (now Amherst- 
burg, Canada), and were sent to Commodore Perry, so that Fort 
Meigs was an important station in this naval battle." 

During the summer of 1813 Commodore Perry rendezvoused 
his fleet in and about the Put-in Bay Islands. Daily messages were 
received during the month of August from General' Harrison, On 



September 3rd Peter Navarre carried this message to Commodore 
Perry: "The British are getting ready to sail, under command of 
Commodore Barclay, with six (6) vessels." 

Commodore Perry's fleet sailed into Put-in Bay harbor, where 
the vessels were prepared for battle. Daily sails were made far 
out into the lake. Commodore Perry visited, several times a day, 
Gibraltar, an island containing about eight acres, covered with 
trees, about fifty feet above the lake. "This remarkable island 
bears forty-nine different kinds of trees." It is one solid rock. 
Upon the summit Commodore Perry built a lookout, and upon this 
spot, many years after. Jay Cooke, the owner of the island, erected 
a monument to the memory of Commodore Perry, with a lookout 
tower 130 feet above the water. The entire group of islands can 
be seen from its summit. 

Early in September messages were received from General Har- 
rison, that the British vessels were prepared for battle, and sailed 
down the Detroit river and out upon the lake. The fleet was under 
command of Commodore Robert Heriot Barclay, an able officer 
who had served with honor and distinction under General Nelson, 
and contained six vessels, namely: The Detroit, Commodore Bar- 
clay's flag ship ; the Queen ; the Charlotte ; the Lady Provost ; the 
Brig Hunter, and the Little Belt, with sixty-three guns and four 
hundred and forty officers and men. 

Immediately Commodore Perry began preparations to sail. 
His fleet consisted of nine vessels, as follows : The Lawrence, Com- 
modore Perry's flag ship; the brig Niagara; the Caledonia; the 
Ariel ; the Scorpion ; the Somers ; the Porcupine ; the Tigress, and 
the Tripp ; with fifty-four guns and four hundred and ninety officers 
and men, three-fourths raw recruits. 

At sunrise of the morning of the 10th of September, far out 
to the northwest, the British fleet could be seen slowly sailing 
towards the islands. A light wind made sailing slow. Commodore 
Perry ordered his fleet to sail out upon the lake, and for several 
hours they drifted about, watching the approaching enemy. Com- 
modore Perry's flag ship, Lawrence, sailed in advance, with a large 
blue flag floating from the mast, emblazoned on it the dying words 
of Captain Lawrence, "Don't Give Up the Ship." At ten o'clock 
the wind changed to the southeast, which brought the American 
squadron to the windward. "Down the lake came the British fleet 
with flying colors." The lightness of the wind occasioned the hostile 
squadrons to approach slowly, and prolonged for two hours the 
solemn interval of suspense and anxiety which precedes a battle. 
At fifteen minutes after eleven a bugle sound broke the silence. It 
came from the enemy's flag ship, the Detroit, and immediately a 




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77 




Courtesy, Commodoi-e G. T. Bliss. 



THE HULL OF THE NIAGARA 



The newly recovered hull of Commodore Perry's Flag Ship, the Brig Niagara, after resting at 
the bottom of "Misery Bay" off Erie, Pa., for one hundred years. Being re-built, at Erie, 
Pa., to take part in the various Perry Centennial celebrations, at many lake ports. 



78 



DONfGIVEUP 



M^,^ 



Photo., by permission, C. R. Morgan. 

COMMODORE PERRY'S FLAG 

"DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP " 
'When Commodore Perry was about to leave his flagship — THE LAWRENCE, he hauled down 
the Union Jack, taking it under his arm, jumped into the waiting boat, and ordered his 
men to pull him to the Niagara, now more than half a mile distant." 



79 



tremendous fire opened upon the Lawrence from the British long" 
guns. These shots the Lawrence could not return on account of 
the small guns. About noon the Lawrence, getting closer to the 
enemy, opened fire, and so continuous were the shots fired into the 
approaching enemy's vessels, the British thought Commodore 
Perry intended to board the Detroit. The heavy guns of the De- 
troit were too much for the Lawrence. Their shots pierced her 
sides in all directions. The Lawrence was considerably cut up 
without being able to do much damage to the British fleet. It ap- 
peared to be the enemy's plan to destroy the flag ship at all hazard. 
The heavy firing of the enemy upon the Lawrence soon disabled the 
vessel and she became unmanageable. Many were killed and wound- 
ed, and while the Lawrence drifted about the enemy "raked the 
vessel with heavy guns." The utmost order prevailed during the 
scenes of horror. As fast as the men on the guns were wounded 
they were taken below, and others stepped into their places. The 
dead remained in the position in which they fell. At this time 
the British believed the battle was won. The Lawrence was a 
wreck. Her deck was covered with the dead and wounded. By 
this time the Niagara managed to come near and Commodore Perry 
ordered a boat to take him to the Niagara. Hauling down the 
Union Jack, waving it above his head, he entered the boat, saying' 
as he left the disabled Lawrence, "If victory is to be gained, I will 
gain it." The little boat was a conspicuous mark for the guns of 
the enemy, especially the showers of the muskets from three of the 
vessels caused the oarsmen to force Commodore Perry to "sit 
down," said Peter Navarre, "and one shot made a hole in the boat, 
which Commodore Perry stopped with his coat. He arrived safely 
on board the Niagara, and, finding the vessel in good condition, 
gave the signal for all vessels for close action." 

When the Union Jack floated at the mast, with its animating 
motto, new life, new energy, came to the men, and each vessel 
made every effort to break the enemy's line. The enemy's vessels 
were soon enclosed between the Niagara and the small vessels, and 
in this position the Americans kept up a most destructive fire on 
both quarters until every ship of the British struck her colors. ' 
Within forty minutes after Commodore Perry was on the Niagara 
the British surrendered. The engagement lasted about three hours 
and never was victory more decisive and complete. More prisoners 
were taken than there were men left on board of the American 
vessels. The principal loss in killed and wounded was on board the 
Lawrence. Of her crew twenty-two were killed and sixty wounded. 
On board the other vessels but five were killed and thirty-six 
wounded. The British officers were received on board the Lawrence. 



80 





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PERRY'S WILLOW— PUT-IN BAY, LAKE ERIE 
Where are buried British and American officers. 



81 



One by one, the officers offered their swords, which Commodore 
Perry requested them to retain. Commodore Barclay was seriously 
wounded, but was received with the utmost courtesy by every 
American, as also were all officers and men. As soon as the vic- 
tory was assured Commodore Perry wrote his famous dispatch to 
General Harrison: 

"We have met the enemy, and they are ours. Two ships, two 
brigs, one schooner and one sloop. 

Yours with great respect, and esteem, 

"O. H. PERRY." 

A majority of the dead of the British and Americans were 
committed to the lake after the action. 

Commodore Perry's great victory enabled General Harrison 
to invade Canada and, by the support of Commodore Perry's squad- 
ron, in the battle of the Thames, October 5th, 1813, restored to 
the United States and established the supremacy of the Americans 
in the Northwest frontier. 

On September 11 the following British and American officers 
were buried under a willow tree: The British — Captain Finnis, 
Lieutenant Stakes, of the Charlotte, and Lieutenant Garland, of 
the Detroit. The Americans — Lieutenant Brooks, Midshipman 
Laub, of the Lawrence. Officers and crews of both fleets united in 
the ceremonies. Friend and foe marched side by side, and friend 
and foe were buried in one common grave, and for one hundred 
years these two great nations have been side by side, one mind, one 
thought — for the welfare, happiness, prosperity and the common 
good of mankind. 



82 




83 




THE PERKY MEMORIAL, 1X13-1913, PUT-IN BAY, OHIO 

Courtesy Perry's Victoi-y Centennial Commission, Copyrighted, 1912 
THE PERRY MEMORIAL MONUMENT, PUT-IN BAY 
This monument will cost about $1,000,000.00. It will consist of a Doric column 365 feet higrh, 
in the center of an immense plaza 750 feet long and 500 feet wide, at one end of which will 
be an historical Museum containing- a floor space of 3,000 square feet, and at the other end 
a building emblematic of the one hundred years of peace that have ensued between two of 
the greatest nations of the world. 

84 




85 




THE FIRST LOG CABIN 
Built in the Maumee Valley, near Fort Miami. 



Bt 



i 




THE OLD MAUMEE COURT HOUSE— (The site of Col. Dudley's Defeat) 

Built in 1841. First court held October 21, 1841. Used until October, 1852, when county seat 
was transferred to Toledo. Hon. Emory D. Potter was the first judge, and James Wolcott, 
J. H. Jerome and John Berdan associate judges. 



67 




THE MAUMEE RIVER AND VALLEY, BELOW BRITISH POINT 

A view taken from British Point opposite Fort Meigs. From this site the British stationed their 

artillery during the siege of Fort Meigs. Perrysburg to the right, in the distance. 



88 




THE UPPER VALLEY— MAUMEE 



89 




THE MAUMEE RIVER AND VALLEY 
A view taken from British Point, Maumee City. The head of navigation and the foot of the 

Rapids 



i)0 




m — * 



91 



The Maumee Valley Of Today 



It is interesting to note and trace the wonderful growth and 
development of the Maumee Valley, and especially the city of 
Toledo. The growth from a wilderness inhabited by Indians and a 
few whites, to a prosperous community of thousands, is seemingly 
a miracle. Toledo as a center is but an example of the advance- 
ment of the whole. Originally Toledo consisted of two sparsely 
settled townships — Port Lawrence, in 1817, and Vistula, in 1832, 
and in 1835 the two "active contestants, at a public town meeting, 
it was called Toledo. Willard J. Daniels had been reading the his- 
tory of Spain and urged the name of the old Moorish capital for the 
reason there was no town of that name in America." 

Toledo was incorporated in 1836. From a settlement of a few 
rude log buildings, surrounded by malarial marshes, Toledo has 
grown to be one of the most beautiful and prosperous cities of the 
United States; and with a record for healthfulness second to none 
in the country. This wonderful change has taken place during the 
lives of many of our citizens, and is due to the public spirited ac- 
tivity and extraordinary liberality of her people. Toledo today has 
become a noted important commercial center and is so recognized 
all over the world. 



92 



IMPORTANT HISTORICAL EVENTS FOR THE STUDENT. 

The Maumee Valley was discovered by the French in 1680. 

Fort Laurens, Tuscarawas County, was the first fort built in 
Ohio, 1773. 

Fort Harmer, mouth of Muskingum River, built in 1785. 

Fort Marietta, the first settlement, 47 persons landed, April 
7th, 1788. 

Fort Washington (now Cincinnati), built in September, 1791. 

Fort Hamilton, built in October, 1791. 

Fort Jefferson, built in October, 1791. 

Fort Greenville,, built in November, 1793 ; rebuilt in 1812. 

Fort Recovery, built in 1793. 

Fort St. Clair, built in the winter of 1791-92. 

Fort Wayne, built i^ October, 1794 ; rebuilt in September, 1812. 

Fort Defiance, built April, 1794 ; rebuilt and called 

Fort Winchester, October, 1812. 

Fort Deposit, built in August, 1794. 

Roche-de-Boeuf (Standing Rock), on which General Wayne 
and Lieutenant Harrison planned the battle of Fallen Timbers, Au- 
gust 19, 1794. 

Battle of Fallen Timbers, August 20th, 1794. 

Fort Meigs, built by General Harrison, February, 1813, 

First siege began May 1st, and ended May 11th, 1813. 

Second siege began July 20th, and ended 27th, 1813. 

Fort Stephenson, built by Colonel Croghan, August, 1813. 

Colonel George Croghan was born near Louisville, Kentucky, 
November 15th, 1791. Died at New Orleans, Louisiana, January 
Sth, 1849. 

General Green Clay was born in Powhattan County, Virginia, 
August 14th, 1757. Died October 31st, 1826. 

Turtle Island Light was discovered by the French in 1679. It 
was a natural island. Used by the government as a Light House 
1831. It was rebuilt in 1867, Abandoned as a Light House May 
15th, 1904, and sold December, 1904. 

Put-in-Bay Islands — A group of ten, contains about 3,200 acres. 

Commodore Oliver H. Perry was born in South Kingston, 
Rhode Island, August 23rd, 1785. Died at Port Said^ Island of 
Trinidad, August 23, 1819. 

Battle of Lake Erie, September 10th, 1813. 

Peter Navarre was born in Detroit, Michigan, January 22nd, 
1787. Died in Toledo, Ohio, March 20th, 1874. 

The Walk-in-the- Water was the first steamboat to land at the 
foot of the Maumee rapids (now Perrysburg) . 

93 



Fort Industry (now Toledo), built as a stockade by General 
Wayne, in August, 1794. Used as a trading post until 1805, when 
nine tribes of Indians held a council, conceding certain dividing 
lines between the whites and the Indians. It was used as a fort by 
General Harrison in 1813. "For the deposit of surplus ammunition, 
clothing, etc., while en route to Canada." 

Fort Miami, built by the French as a trading post in 1680. Re- 
built by the British for a fort in 1794 and 1812. 

General Henry A. Proctor, Commander British forces in the 
Maumee Valley, was born in Wales, 1765. Died in Liverpool, 1859. 

The Treaty of Greenville, which made Ohio part of the North- 
west Territory, was signed at this fort, August 3rd, 1795. 

Ohio was admitted into the Union by an act of Congress in 
1803. 

General William Henry Harrison was born at Berkly, Virginia, 
February 9th, 1773. Died at Washington, D. C, April 4th, 1841. 

General James Winchester, born White Level, Maryland, Feb- 
aury 6th, 1752. Died in Tennessee July 26th, 1826. 

Battle and Massacre, River Raisin, January 22-23, 1813. 

General Anthony Wayne, was born in Chester County, Penn- 
sylvania, January 1st, 1745. Died at Erie, Pennsylvania, Decem- 
ber 15th, 1796. 

Fort Meigs, built by General Harrison, April, 1813. The siege 
began May 5th, 1813. British withdrew, first siege. May 9th, and 
second, July 20, 1813. 

Pontiac, the celebrated chief of the allied tribes of the Ottawns, 
Ojibways and the Pottawattomies. Born on the Ottawa river — 
1720. Murdered by an Indian of the Kaskaskia tribe at Cahakia, 
Illinois, 1769. 

Tecumseh, chief of the Shawnees and one of the greatest chiefs, 
was born in 1768 and died at the Battle of the Thames, October 
5, 1813. 

Lake Erie, named after the Erie tribe of Indians, who lived 
along the lake shore, but were almost exterminated by eastern 
nations. 

Ohio, takes its name from the river (Indian name) Ohionhin, 
meaning "beautiful river." 

Toledo was incorporated January 7th, 1837. 



94 




THE OLD STAGE COACH 
Method of traveling in 1813, in the Maumee Valley. 



9S 




TRAVELING IN 1913. PASSENGER CAR ON THE MAUMEE VALLEY (ELECTRIC) 

RAILWAY 
From the cars of this line, can be seen Fort Industry, Fort Miami, the old Court House, the 
battle grround of Colonel Dudley's defeat, the old elm tree, the fort where the British 
batteries were located, opposite Fort Meigs ; the battlefield of General Clay, Fort Meigs and 
monument, and the great Maumee River and Valley. 



— ^.^— ^„— ^. 



The Early History 






L 



of the 

MAUMEE 
VALLEY 




*^ 



REVISED SECOND EDITION 
(ILLUSTRATED) 



BY 



JOHN E. GUNCKEL 



0C3IIC 



DBO I—m C 



MIC 



am-— MIC 



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